Jury upholds Amgen’s patent validity for Repatha, deflecting challenge from Sanofi and Regeneron
pharmafile | February 26, 2019 | News story | Manufacturing and Production, Sales and Marketing | Amgen, Regeneron, Repatha, Sanofi, patent, pharma
Amgen is celebrating after a Delaware jury backed the validity of two of its patents against challenges from Regeneron and Sanofi.
The case centred on Amgen’s cholesterol drug Repatha (evolocumab), a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor. Sanofi and Regeneron previously admitted that their drug Praluent (alirocumab) breached Amgen’s patent back in March 2016 – an admission that was supported by a jury ruling – but the case was remanded to the district court after the decision was appealed.
In this latest case, the jury rejected claims that Amgen’s patents did not fully explain the products or how to how to make them. Robert A Bradway, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Amgen, remarked on the decision: “Today’s decision protects intellectual property which is essential to innovators who are bringing forward new medicines for patients with serious diseases. Amgen scientists discovered and developed Repatha, which can play a key role in the fight against cardiovascular disease. We are thankful that the jury weighed the evidence carefully and recognized the validity of Amgen’s patents.”
Joseph LaRosa, Regeneron’s General Counsel, spurned the ruling in a statement saying: “We will continue to vigorously defend our positions against Amgen’s overly broad patent claims.”
The ruling could shape the sales performance for each party considerably; Repatha is projected to make $2.21 billion in 2022 alone.
Matt Fellows
Related Content
Sanofi and Regeneron’s Dupixent receives CHMP recommendation for chronic spontaneous urticaria
Sanofi and Regeneron have received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee …
LGC Group opens $100M Organic Chemistry Synthesis Centre of Excellence
LGC Group, a life sciences company, has opened its new Organic Chemistry Synthesis Centre of …
Sanofi’s treatment granted orphan designation for rare chronic inflammatory condition
The European Medicines Agency has granted orphan designation to Sanofi’s investigational Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) …
